All Forum Posts by: Varun Chawla

I’m looking for recommendations for a solid real estate attorney in the Kansas City area who also has business dispute and litigation experience. This is related to an investment in a small development project where there are concerns about delays and communication, and I want someone who can advise on my rights under an LLC operating agreement and help protect my investment.

If you’ve worked with someone you trust in this area, I’d really appreciate the referral.

Thanks in advance!

Hey all,

Looking for some feedback and advice.

During the recent heavy rains in Missouri, a window broke at my duplex property, causing the basement to flood. The tenant called 911, and the fire department shut off both the power and gas for safety reasons.

Now I’m facing a significant bill:

• The electrician quoted $6,000 to replace the entire electrical service. Both the breaker box and internal wiring were exposed to water and mud, so they’re recommending a full replacement for Units A and B.

• The environmental remediation company )gave a quote for $16,000 to clean up the mud, remove water-damaged items, apply antimicrobial treatment, and do HEPA vacuuming. DO I REALLY NEED IT?

• The insurance company denied the claim, saying it's a flooding event, which isn't covered under the policy.

Here’s what I want to ask:

1. Does this pricing seem reasonable? 

2. Has anyone successfully challenged a flood denial under similar circumstances (i.e., caused by broken windows during rain, not river overflow)?

3. Any tips on reducing costs or dealing with this out-of-pocket? Is it really neccesary to use a enviromental remediation company?

Really appreciate any insights!

Thanks in advance.

Hi all,
I’m an out-of-state investor with rental properties in Kansas City (mostly multifamily-LTRs), and I’m currently looking for a reliable contractor or GC to help with a couple of upcoming projects—one full rehab and one light cosmetic.

So far, my experience with local contractors has been mixed at best—poor communication, inconsistent timelines, cost overruns, and some quality issues. I’d love to hear any personal recommendations for:

✅ Reliable and timely work – sticks to scope and schedule
✅ Transparent with bids and change orders
✅ Good communicator – responds to texts/calls/emails regularly
✅ Comfortable sending regular progress pics/updates)
✅ Licensed, insured, and has subs or a team for plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc.
✅ Ideally someone who has worked with out-of-town investors and understands remote project management

Bonus if they’ve worked in KCMO, Independence, or Raytown areas specifically.

If you’ve had a good experience with someone, I’d really appreciate their name and contact info—or feel free to DM me directly. Thanks in advance!

Thanks for such a crisp and clear explanantion. Makes sense. DO you sell incurance in MO or CA?

Hi BP Community,

I’m looking for a reliable but not overly expensive cost segregation firm to conduct studies on two medical office buildings located in Northern California. Details below:

• Property 1: Purchase Price: $2M, Capital Improvements: ~$1M,Placed in service: 2021

• Property 2: Purchase Price: $1M, Capital Improvements: ~$250K, Place in service: 2022

Both are active-use medical buildings. I'm hoping to maximize depreciation benefits without spending a fortune on the study itself. If you’ve had a good experience with a firm or individual that’s cost-effective and understands commercial/medical properties, please drop their info or PM me.

Thanks in advance!

The insurance is very cheap at 10-15 a month and says it covers up till 10k. Although, I am concerned this may be one of those things that never pays out, so wanted to see what other people who have used it have to say about it

Hey everyone, wondering if any of you carry sewer line insurance and if so, do you go with HomeServe or another provider?

I recently had a property with a sewer line issue despite getting a good scope during inspection. Turns out there are some low spots, and now I’m dealing with costly repairs. The realtor recommended a fix, but it’s expensive.

Looking back, I’m wondering if I should have taken the insurance. Anyone have experience with these policies—do they actually cover the big-ticket repairs, or is it just another unnecessary expense? Appreciate any insights!

Hey BP community,

I am considering investing in a real estate developer using the Build, Refinance, Rent & Repeat (BRRR 2.0) strategy. Instead of buying existing properties and rehabbing them, the idea is to partner with a builder who constructs new rental properties, then refinance and rent them out.

Has anyone here invested in a builder/developer under this model? If so:

1. What should I look for when evaluating the builder/developer?

2. What are the key risks or potential pitfalls in this strategy?

3. Any specific contract clauses or safeguards I should include?

4. How do these deals typically perform in terms of cash flow and equity growth?

I would love to hear from anyone with experience in this space whether you've done it yourself or know someone who has. Thanks in advance for your insights!

I’m an out-of-state investor as well—I live in California but don’t invest in real estate here. It can absolutely be done, and many of us have built successful portfolios remotely.

The hardest part for out-of-state investors is deciding which area to invest in. Once you’ve narrowed that down (based on market research, affordability, rental demand, and future appreciation potential), the rest becomes more manageable.

Start by connecting with a real estate agent who has experience working with out-of-state investors. They’ll often have insights into the market and can help you find properties that align with your goals. From there, slowly build your team—this is crucial for managing a property from afar. You’ll want to find a reliable mortgage agent, property manager, and handyman. Many times, your realtor or resources like BiggerPockets can provide solid recommendations.

It’s not as tough as it seems, but the key is taking your time to build the right network and systems. Best of luck with your first rental property

Hi Jamison,

Kansas City is a fantastic market for someone with your skills and background! There’s no shortage of properties that could benefit from your expertise, and using your team during slower periods is a smart way to build equity and maximize returns.

If you’re considering your first project, I’d suggest looking at duplexes in Belton, MO. I own several duplexes there and they’ve been solid investments with no issues finding renters. The rental demand in the area has been consistent, and duplexes offer the flexibility of house hacking or scaling into multi-family investing over time.

With your experience in construction and remodeling, you're already ahead of the game—fix-and-flips or BRRRR projects in Kansas City could be a perfect fit for you.